After releasing her record-breaking sixth album reputation, Taylor Swift had big shoes to fill with TS7. Did she fill them? Well, that’s up for debate. The 18-song package entitled Lover arrived in summer 2019 and while the album broke several streaming and sales records, the album didn’t have the longevity that Swift’s albums usually have. We’ll be breaking down this album as we try to figure out why Lover contains some of Swift’s most exciting and disappointing work.
The first half of the album is pure pop perfection. One of the first tracks on the album is the mid-tempo “Cruel Summer.” The love song is one of the many times that Swift’s strong suit is highlighted on the album: songwriting. Swift sings “So cut the headlights, summer's a knife / I'm always waiting for you just to cut to the bone / Devils roll the dice, angels roll their eyes” right before the second chorus of the song. Swift manages to tell a complex love story in less than three minutes while also delivering an emotional vocal performance and singing one of the best hooks on the entire album (“Ooh, whoa-oh / It's a cruel summer”). “The Man” is another standout on the album as Swift discusses double standards and imagines how she would be treated if she was a man. She sings “What I was wearing, if I was rude / Could all be separated from my good ideas and power moves” in the second verse of the song. The bold yet truthful lyrics combined with the upbeat production make this song an undeniable hit.
The first nine songs on Lover also include some of Swift’s best ballads. The title track is a simple yet effective retro love song where Swift is inspired by her country roots. Swift sounds at home over the light production and the fact that it’s dedicated to her partner Joe Alwyn makes the song that much more beautiful. Reminiscent of a wedding song, it immediately sent fans into a frenzy as they tried to find evidence that the couple was engaged. “The Archer” is another ballad early on in the album. The emotional track is about Swift’s insecurities in a relationship, as she sings “I've been the archer, I've been the prey / Who could ever leave me, darling / But who could stay?” in the chorus. The song is the fifth track on the album, and many fans have noticed that Swift often puts her most vulnerable songs in that spot (“Delicate” on reputation, “All Too Well” on Red).
The second half of the album is where the album starts to turn south. “London Boy” is an innocent song about Swift’s relationship with Joe Alwyn and how she has adapted his London traditions. While the song isn’t bad, it definitely isn't her best work and feels a bit basic. “ME!” featuring Panic! At The Disco’s lead singer Brendon Urie is the album's more-than-disappointing lead single. The song comes off as immature and is a step backwards in Swift’s career, as she sings “You can't spell ‘awesome’ without ‘me’ / I promise that you'll never find another like me” in the bridge. Overall, the second half of the album just isn’t up to par with the rest of Swift’s expansive catalogue.
Although, some songs do stand out from the pack. “False God” is a sultry mid-tempo track that uses heavy religious imagery to describe her relationship. Swift sings “We’d still worship this love” at the end of the chorus. It seems that Swift often shines when the focus is on her voice and lyrics while the production takes the backseat, as this track is one of Swift’s career highlights. “Afterglow” is another semi-ballad where the singer takes the blame for a fight and discusses self-sabotaging a relationship. The song is refreshing, as Swift often points fingers at others in her songs. Swift’s vulnerability in “Afterglow” makes us fall in love with her that much more.
In conclusion, while Swift’s Lover may seem lacklustre at face value, its hidden gems make her true fans continue to go back to it.
Stream Lover by Taylor Swift on Spotify and Apple Music.
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